Threemile Canyon Farms Receives 2026 OBI Visionary Award For Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Community Impact

(BOARDMAN, OREGON – Oct. 29, 2026) – Threemile Canyon Farms is honored to receive the 2026 Oregon Visionary Award from Oregon Business & Industry (OBI). Each year, OBI presents the Visionary Award to “individuals, companies and organizations that, through steadfast service to their communities, illuminate a path to shared prosperity, built upon a thriving state economy with opportunity for all Oregonians,” according to OBI’s website. OBI further describes awardees as “those willing to set aside individual interests and politics to bring Oregonians together around a common set of values with a focus on practical solutions to the most difficult challenges of our time.”

Established in 1999, Threemile Canyon Farms is a leader in combining modern agricultural operations and technology with a longstanding commitment to being stewards of the land through its innovative closed-loop system that brings together crop farming and dairy operations. At the heart of Threemile Canyon Farms is a large-scale dairy that produces milk used to make award-winning Tillamook cheese. The manure generated by the dairy’s herd is transformed into three products: renewable natural gas by an on-site digester, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for the crops and, after removing solid materials, bedding for the cows.

Given these practices, Threemile Canyon Farms is able to operate under a zero-discharge permit, which means that animal waste never enters streams or groundwater sources. A state-of-the-art irrigation system fertilizes Threemile Canyon Farms’ 39,000 acres of irrigated farmland, which grows much of the feed consumed by its dairy herd.  The farming operation also produces millions of pounds of food annually for a variety of customers and partners, including potatoes, corn, and carrots. Its organic farming operation produces onions, carrots, blueberries, grain, alfalfa, and other crops.

With approximately 400 employees, Threemile Canyon Farms supports the economic well-being of the region by producing food that feeds millions across the world.

“We started more than 25 years ago to be the most sustainable farm in the country. We continue to farm this way because we are deeply committed to our stewardship of natural resources, our animals and our community,” said Greg Harris, General Manager of Farm Operations. “

The Threemile team has long been proud of its sustainable farming practices, land stewardship, high standard of animal welfare, and giving back to the community in a number of ways. The dairy team is actively involved in the local 4-H and FFA programs that teach youth about agriculture and leadership, while other team members participate in local clubs and volunteer to coach sports.

Threemile also works with Farmers Ending Hunger to donate 40 tons of potatoes and 6,500 pounds of beef every month that is distributed through the Oregon Food Bank network to feed thousands of hungry Oregonians.

“We are only as successful as we are today because of the people who work here,” said Jeff Wendler, General Manager of Livestock Operations. “Their commitment to this farm, each other and the community is what makes Threemile not only a special place to work, but a place where our food and dairy products are regularly recognized for their high quality.”

“The entire Threemile team is honored to receive the 2026 Visionary Award from OBI and be recognized for the farming practices and values that have been at the core of how we operate since day one,” said Harris.

 In 2019, Threemile was the first dairy to ever receive a 100% score from internationally recognized outside and independent animal welfare auditor Validus, an achievement that we have now reached three times.

In 2020, Threemile was recognized as a winner of the 2020 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.